You need to structure your process in order to optimize your performance when video editing.

Here is my workflow.

1. Footage Transfer

Stay organized! Create a folder for each device. Inside each device, create subfolders for different media types. Photos go to “Photos”, videos go inside “Video. Don’t be lazy, create the folders, and you’ll thank yourself later when you’re searching for files.

2. Footage Review

This is when you go through all the footages you reviewed. I usually give this 2-3 passes. The first pass is to ‘refresh’ your memory – so you know what went down, and what files you’ll now be working with.

3. Qualify & Eliminate

There will be unusable footages – you should trust your instinct and know right away which you can remove. It could be a super shaky footage, out of focus shot, or poor composition. Decide quickly – and simply ask yourself if you see a place for that particular footage before it hits the bin.

4. Arrange

Now, you start stitching the footages together. Take your time, play around. If you haven’t prepared a storyline before hand, this is when you’ll eventually see your open, middle, and ending.

5. Footage Review (Round 2)

This is your second round to determine whether any footage is fluff, and which can be ‘tightened’. the objective is to cut down on any footage that doesn’t support your story. If something is too repetitive, you should notice now.

6. Rest

I always make sure I give my ‘brain’ some rest. Trust me, you need to let it breathe. Come back tot he screen later. Take a walk. Have a coffee.

Once you return, you’ll be able to assess your project with fresh pair of eyes, not exhausted ones.

7. Start Editing

This is where the real editing begins. Don’t aim for perfection – just make sure you tell your story as succinctly as you can first.

8. Color Grade

Color grading is no rocket science. Adjust the colors on screen so it syncs with the mood of your video’s story.

9. Sound Effects

Your chosen sound effects should support visuals that need emphasis. Just like music, the sound effects itself can help shape the viewing experience! Don’t go lazy on just putting background music.

10. Visual Effects

Before you slap on whatever fancy visual effect footage or plugin you have on your desktop, plan this step smartly. Only apply effects that help communicate your message, or amplify your emotions.

12. Incubate

You should always let your footage sit for a day before you render it. Give yourself time to reassess if there are areas for improvement, and what you could do better.

13. Render and Distribute

Make sure all the correct settings are applied before you hit that ‘render’ button – or you’ll regret having to go back to adjust later, only to put yourself in the waiting line again.

That’s all for now 🙂 I’ll make sure to keep this post edited when I revisit later.

If you have any thoughts on how to optimize your video editing process, please feel free to e-mail us at info@recquixit.com

Searching for the Right Sounds 找到最合适的背景乐

Your audio is what will bring your video to life, otherwise it’s a muted and dull visual experience.

We’d like to think that your visual footage is your video’s skin, while your sound gives it the heartbeat.

However, do not take this process lightly.

Here’s our general protocol when it comes to searching for the right sounds that best matches your video.

背景乐和音效都是视频中不可或缺的重要因素，它们与画面相辅相成构成完整的视频，否则，视频只是一段乏味而没有声音的视觉体验。

如果说画面是一支视频的外表，那背景乐则是一直视频的灵魂。

所以，不要忽视你的音频部分。

对于音频和背景乐的选择，下面我们列出了一些关键的贴士：

1. Compatibility 兼容性

The first step is to make sure the music you’ve selected is compatible with the entire visual sequence.

You have to be the A&R to your video. The sound scout.

If you’re injecting any background music, the two need to sync together nicely to achieve the desired effect you’d like for your target audience.

Is the background music too distracting? too loud?

Is it working in tandem?

Does it fit the context of your video’s purpose?

Avoid having two separate identities pieced together. It’s not a game of opposites.

在挑选任何音频的时候，首先要考虑的，无庸置疑就是兼容性：与所拍摄的画面整体风格是否契合。

精心对待每一个音效，包括每个节奏和音符。

在导入背景乐的时候，若想要达到你的预期效果，有几点必须要考虑周到：

背景音乐是不是会分散观众的注意力？是不是太响？

与画面是否配合？

和你视频所要传达的主旨是否符合？

一旦出现画风和音频不和谐的状况，就好像穿错尺码的鞋子一般，陷入尴尬窘境。

2. Syncing It: Sound & Sight 视觉与听觉同步

Is your footage dancing to the sound of the beat?

Ideally, you’d want a seamless integration wherever possible.

Sometimes you need to cut off parts of the audio for a desired pause effect.

Sometimes, you need more than 2-3 audio’s lined up as your scenes are changing.

Let the two tango.

你的每一帧画面都跟着音律齐动吗？

当然，谁都希望自己的视频画面能与音频无缝整合。

切掉一部分音频，暂停一段时间以达到完美效果是一种方法，

有时候，在一个视频里，根据画面的变换，同时整合2-3首音频内容也不是不可能。

3. How do you feel? 你觉得如何？

How do you feel with every second that has unfolded?

Are you feeling the intended emotion you’d like your viewer to feel?

With sound, you can: Uplift, build suspense, instill relaxation. Feature the right instruments, play them at the right notes, and place everything at the right time, pitch, intensity.

Let the sound waves shape the experience.

There should be no conflict to the ears. It should make sense.

If you’re expecting any form of emotional response – make sure you guarantee it with video.

Ask yourself, are you experiencing the sensations you’d like? If you don’t, your viewer probably won’t.

添加完音频后，再看着画面感受一遍，你觉得如何？

你自己从中感受到你想传递给观众的讯息了吗？

发挥音频的奇妙效应，包括：激励情绪，制造悬念，放松心情等。每一个鼓点、每一种乐器转换、每一个节奏都是为了更好地渲染气氛。

让这些声波带动观众更好地体验画面。

如果你想借助音频，让视频更好地为观众制造氛围，那么，考验你乐感的时候到啦！

4. Using Sound Effects 使用音效

Don’t just rely entirely on music, harness sound effects.

Horns, sirens, glass-shatters can all trigger a reaction. An incoming text? Drop a notification sound in to your video editing software’s project sequence.

Just make sure they’re familiar sounds. An abstract mythical sound fused with a forest scene can pique curiosity and evoke a sense of isolated environment. Using echos can give perspective to the dimension of space.

不要单单只依靠背景乐，使用音效也可以达到理想效果。

号角声、汽笛声、碎玻璃声都会触发观众的情绪反应，一个消息提醒声怎么样？如果配合画面，那就拖进你的编辑项目进程里啊！

确保这些声效都是我们熟悉的。比如，一个静谧森林的画面配上一段神秘的音效，可以制造出一个独特的场景效果。

再比如，一个回声的音效也可以增加空间的维度，表达出距离感。

5. Avoid Overdose 避免用力过猛

Too much sound will only lead to sound pollution. Don’t make it a mess. Strike a fine balance. Always start by working with less, and only fill the in the gaps when they present themselves.

By default, we only start with 1 background audio, and progress from there.

Experiment

There’s rarely a ‘perfect’ sound, but plenty of ones that will work. Opt for the latter approach as the odds are better.

Once everything is arranged. Mix it up. Experiment with different sound arrangements. Remember to give you first cut the “incubation” period.

Fade in nicely, and fade out. Alter sound volume levels if you think it’s necessary at certain segments. Experiment and see what works.